Title: Borrowing Sleep
By: dragoneye
Rating: K+
Written Because: I was bored, had just had a sleepover, and wanted to write a story. So there.

Summary: Charlotte indulges Carolina's wishes and sleeps over at the orphanage—how does Shades take it? Incredibly short.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Princess Diaries.

OoOoO

When she had accepted little Carolina's offer to spend the night at the orphanage, Charlotte had no idea how hyper children could get. Visiting them during the day was one thing, but sleeping over… she would never do it again.

First of all, soda and young children should not mix. Neither should candy and young children. But when soda and candy are paired with a kid's movie marathon, things can get a little crazy, as Charlotte learned that night.

They had made pizza for dinner, and as it was a "special occasion" (for Charlotte was there!), the children were allowed to have soda. Then they watched nearly the entire Land Before Time collection while munching various sugary sweets. The combination of soda, candy, and movies made for quite a hectic bedtime.

Little girls running all around the place, pillows flying everywhere, the occasional flutter of feathers as a pillow exploded, screams of laughter… Charlotte thanked the Lord that she didn't have any children of her own.

Finally the girls said their "good-night"s and got into bed. Charlotte climbed into her sleeping bag and let her head fall heavily on the pillow. Where did they get so much energy? Without a second thought, she fell asleep.

OoOoO

The next morning back at the palace, a terribly tired Charlotte was standing at the filing cabinets behind her desk. Suddenly, she felt someone wrap their arms around her waist, and she knew immediately that it was Shades—no one else wore that cologne, after all. She relaxed back in to him with a sigh and closed her eyes.

His warm breath tickled her ear as he said, "I missed you last night," and then she felt his lips touch her bare shoulder delicately.

She sighed, but responded playfully. "Oh really, then?"

"Yes. It was terrible, Char, really terrible." She laughed, but he shushed her. "I had to hug a pillow to fall asleep, and then I almost kissed it this morning!"

Charlotte laughed loudly at that. "You kissed a pillow?"

"I said almost. Anyways, what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Did you sleep alright without me?"

Charlotte pursed her lips together, knowing he wouldn't be entirely pleased with her answer. Hoping to express some emotion with her eyes, she turned to look at him and took a deep breath. "Shades, I'm sorry, yes I did."

He looked momentarily startled. "Is sleeping well something to be ashamed of?"

"You're not angry?" At the creasing of his eyebrows, she laughed nervously. "I just thought… since you had difficulties sleeping, you might be annoyed that I didn't… um…"

Shades laughed out loud and tickled her waist. "I wouldn't be mad about that. But really Char, no troubles? Nothing? Not even a momentary longing for a good-night kiss?"

"Well, maybe the last one… but those kids really wore me out!"

He laughed again and kissed her nose. "Does that mean you don't want any?"

Charlotte's head shot up, nearly hitting his chin. "Children?"

THE END

Ok, so the sleepover idea was just a ploy to write that little romantic C/S moment… yep… Leave a review and you get the Shades-fantasy-ploy of your choice :D